Overview

A stroll along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah at dusk (formerly Northam Road) is the perfect setting to observe the myriad variations of a common architectural theme called the Straits style. It is also an invaluable education in the ephemeral propensity of great wealth. This was a whimsical European enclave in the early days of Penang, and as observed in 1908, "the beginning of villadom." Rich Chinese towkays later joined the fray, vying among themselves to build the most ornate and ostentatious mansions. Among these unabashed exhibits of wealth, some have survived and continue to be occupied by the descendants of the original patriarchs.